Back to School Communication Folders

Today is my last day of summer vacation.  Tomorrow it is back to work!  Kicking off the year with a teacher work day and back to school night.  I am overwhelmed with excitement and some anxiety.  I have those feelings of feeling prepped and ready, but not really at the same time.  I am sure you know what I am talking about.  I keep thinking of things I need to do and worry, worry, worry!  I don't think those feeling ever go away no matter how experienced you are.

This year is extra stressful!  We just moved back to Indiana from Korea.  I only have about ten boxes of teaching materials to kick off the year.  Those boxes are essentials only!  It costs a fortune to mail things from Korea.  I think I paid for everything in those boxes three times over just to get them here.  I have no classroom library, no math manipulatives, just essential files and decor.  The rest of my 40 totes will arrive a week and a half after school starts!  STRESS!  I will be getting my room ready while the year has started.  I don't see myself sleeping in the month of August/September.  In addition, we are buying and moving into a house the end of the month and my household goods/furniture/pretty much everything else I own will be arriving in Septemberish...... I am freaking out!

This year is also extra special!  My oldest is starting Kindergarten and she couldn't be more excited.  We had a Mommy & Ashlyn day yesterday and we B2S shopped until we dropped.  It was so fun to have alone time with this peanut.  Now, my youngest is going to be 3 in September.  Don't let that darling little face fool you......TERRIBLE TWOS IN FULL EFFECT!  Wow, she keeps me on my toes.  Love that little sugar bear to pieces!!!!

Now for some B2S talk.  I always use communication folders in my classroom.  This year I made Polka D.O.T. Folders (Daily Organizational Tool) that will go to and from school every day.  I order my folders from Nicky's Folders.

The folders look like this and they are perfect in every way.  There is a clear view pocket in the front and the back for sliding in pages and the inside has a "Return to School" and "Keep at Home" pocket.

I create my papers and slide them into the front and back of the folder.  Here is a picture of the folder I am using this year.

This folder style can be snatched up at my TpT store along with the folder styles I have used in the past.  I absolutely love them and LOVE that they keep me, my students, and my parents so informed and organized!

Here are some examples of my other folders also available in my store:

More Polka D.O.T. styles...

     

              

The S.H.A.R.K Folder above was the first set I ever made and has been very popular at my store.  It was actually the first product I put on TpT and has remained my number one seller.  I used to have a beach theme and have switched to polka dots and chevron, but I do miss these folders.  

If there is anyone else starting up their year in the morning, GOOD LUCK!  For the rest of you with some time to spare....LIVE IT UP!!!!

Classroom Reveal

Teacher Organization Day is Monday and all the little darlings will start filling the hallways that evening for back to school night.  School starts Tuesday!  Excited!  Anxious!  Nervous!  Butterflies in the belly!  Why does this happen every year, even after teaching for quite some time now?!?!?  I don't think it will ever go away.  You want to be great!  You want the kids to love you, but you also want to set the stage in a way they will learn routine and develop respect for you.  Such a critical time.

My absolute favorite part of back to school is getting my room ready and organized.  I have worked hard on my classroom transformation.  Put TONS of time into getting everything just where I want it and loving my new look.  I want to share some of my new decor and classroom ideas.  I have tried to provide links to the different products around the room.  Here goes....

Alphabet is by Erica Bohrer and the comprehension strategies & skills posters are by A Cupcake for the Teacher.

Classroom library organization is inspired by Beth Newingham

2nd Grade Common Core Essential Questions, CAFE, & Daily 5 materials can be found at my TpT store by clicking here.

I get many products from Amy Lemons.  You will see many of her materials in my classroom.  She is my go to girl for 2nd Grade.  LOVE her!

Math Lab labels and recording sheets can be found at my store by clicking here.

Writing wall materials are A Cupcake for the Teacher and Lori Rosenberg.

Polka dot table numbers and the behavior chart can be found at my TpT store by clicking here.  The table numbers are also available in CHEVRON!

I know I will be praying for an amazing year for my students, their parents, all teachers out there and my sanity!  Ha ha!  Enjoy your back to school events and God bless!